Temperature controlling device



Nov.'23, 1948. v. WEBER TEMPERATURE CONTROL-KING DEVICE Filed Sept. 28, 1944 INVENTOR. Vrcroz (Elem.

e rraRlvgY Patented Nov. 23, 1948 TEMPERATURE CONTROLLING DEVICE Victor Weber, Greensburg, Pia, assignor to Robertshaw-Fulton Controls Company, a corporation of Delaware Application September 28, 1944, Serial No. 556,209 9 calms. (Cl. 230-99) It is advantageous in the u e of cooking ranges and other heating devices to bring the-oven quickly up to a desired temperature and then maintain this temperature for: as long a period as desired. In the initial or preheating stage'two burners may be employed to obtain a large capacity fuel flow until the set temperature is reached. Thereafter, one burner is automatically shut ofl and an even temperature is maintained by operation of a'single burner under thermostatic control for the duration of the cooking operation.

An object of this invention is to permit heating of the oven selectively with one or .more burners, as desired.

Another object of the invention is to automati cally shut off all but one burner from further operation when a set oven temperature is reached.

Another object of the invention is to effect the shut-off with snap action while retaining throttling control on the existing burners.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of the improved temperature control apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;v

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 8-4 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 of a modified form.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, a casing 10 is provided with an internal T-shaped partition wall separating the casing into an inlet chamber II for fuel and a pair of outlet chambers i6 and II. The inlet chamber ll has an open end provided with a closure'plate having a fuel inlet connection 22 controlled by a rotatable shut-off cock 24 arranged for manual operation by means. of the dial 28. The shut-oif cock 2 is provided with an axial bore 28 and a port 80 which affords communication between the connection 22 and the bore 28 in order that fuel may be admitted to the chamber it when the port 80 is aligned with the connection 22 upon manipulation of the dial 28. Passage of fuel between the inlet ma ner it and the outlet chamber I8 is controlled by a thermostatic valve 82 which is reciprocably mounted in the chamber IS. The valve 32 is movable into and out of engagement with a seat formed on the outlet side of an opening 34 in the partition l2 affording communication between the inlet chamber I4 and the outlet chamber I. The thermostatic valve 32 is mounted upon a stem 88 which projects through the opening 84 and thus has one portion within the chamber II and the other portion within the chamber ii. That portion of the stem 36 which extends within the chamber I6 is threaded for engagement with a wing nut 38 which is reciprocable with the stem 38 but held against rotation by engagement with a slotted collar 40 secured in the chamber l8.

The thermostatic element for operating the valve 82 with gradual action consists, in this embodiment, of the usual bulb 42, capillary tube M and an expansible element 46 mounted on an end cap 48 which forms a closure for the open end of the outlet chamber IS. The movement of the expansible element 46 may be communicated to the nut 38 through a compensating device, comprising, in this instance, a bimetallic element 80 carried by a housing 5| which is mounted on a connector 52 carried by the nut 88. A spring 54 extends between the nut 38 and the housing BI and permits the latter to reciprocate on the connector 52 for a purpose apparent hereinafter.

The thermostatic valve 82 is adjustable relative to its seat by the manipulation of the dial 26 to set the temperature at which the control will operate. Such adjustment-is effected by a rod 58 which projects axially through the shut-oricock 2! to the chamber l4 and carries an offset tongue 58 overlying the end of the valve stem 36. The rod 58 and the valve stem 36 are in axial alignment and the offset tongue serves to impart rotation of the rod 58 to the stem 38' by the provision of a'disc 60 carried on the end of the valve stem 38 and having a slot therein through which the overlying end of the tongue 58 projects.

Communication between the inlet chamber I4 and the outlet chamber I8 is controlled by an auxiliary valve 82 which is reciprocable into and out of engagement with a seat formed on the inlet side of an opening 84 in partition H. The auxiliary valve 82 is mounted on a valve stem 88 projecting from the closure plate 20 into the chamber l4 substantially parallel with the rod 88 and valve stem 88. The valve 82 is adapted push-button 78 are biased outwardly from the support 12 by a coil spring 14 extending between the push-button 18 and a collar formed on the support 12. An enlargement '18 formed on the end of the plunger 88 within chamber l4 and engageable with the plate 28 serves to limit outward movement of the plunger under the bias of the spring 14.

Secured to the inner end of the plunger 88 is an angular plate 18 which extends into the valve chamber l4 intermediate the valves 82 and 82 and is suitably apertured to permit the stem 88 to extend freely therethrough. The movement of the plate 18 in response to operation of the push-button 18 is transmitted to the valve 82 through a pivoted lever 88 having oppositely disposed legs thereon. One of these -iegs extends into engagement with plate 18 and the other into engagement with a head 82 connected by a neck portion 84 with the valve 82. Preferably, the leg of the pivoted lever 88 which engages the head of the valve 82 is in the form of a yoke which extends around the neck 84 as more fully shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing. The means for biasing the'valve 82 to its seat and efi'ecting its closure with snap-action consists of a coil spring 88 carried on the valve stem 88 and extending between the head 82 and the plate 18 for this purpose.

The lever 88 is mounted for the pivotal movement described on a support 88 which is secured in the chamber i4 by means of the screws 90 which serve to attach it to the partition I2. The support 88 carries an integral bearing portion 92 through which the valve stem 88 projects and is thus provided with support for its reciprocable and rotatable movement. A coil spring 93 which is weaker than the spring 84 is carried by the bearing 92 and extends between the valve member 32 and the support 88 to bias the valve member from its seat. The support 88 also carries latching means for maintaining the auxiliary valve open. These comprise a second pivoted lever 94 which-is biased in one direction by a tension spring 98 extending between one leg of the lever 94 and the support 88. The spring 98 thus serves to bias this leg of the lever into engagement with the disc 88 carried by the valve stem 98. Preferably, the lever leg is sultably curved in order that close engagement may be maintained with the disc throughout the movements of the valve stem 88. The opposite leg of the lever carries a catch 98 which is adapted to be moved by pivotal movement of the lever 94 into latching engagement with lever 88 when the parts are suitably positioned'by operation of the dial 28 and the push-button 18. As will be apparent hereinafter, the disc 88 forms releasing means for the latching mechanism.

As previously indicated herein, the outlet chambers i8 and I8 may communicate with sep arate burners both located in a single, oven. The push-button I8 and dial 28 are adapted to project exteriorly of a front panel I88 of a conventional gas range for convenient operation by the user. The bulb 42 of the thermostatic eiement may be located within the oven of the range to respond through the expansible elenow to the outlet chamber l8 and thus to the burner with which it is connected. The disc 88 on the valve stem '98 has been moved axially with the valve 82 but engagement is maintained withthe lever 94 due to the tension spring 88 serving to rotate the lever around its;

pivot. The push-button 18 may now be operated to overcome the bias of the spring I4 and pivot the lever 88 clockwise by means of the plate I8. The catch 98 on lever 94 has been moved into the path of the lever 88 and the tension spring 96 will yield to permit lever 88 to move to the opposite side of the catch 98 from that shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. Thus, the lever 94 is latched in position by the lever 88. If the dial 28 has been rotated a suflicient amount the engagement between lever 94 and the disc 88 may no longer exist. .It will be apparent, however, that such engagement is. not essential in carrying out the purposes of this invention.

The opening of the valve 82 by operation of the push-button 18 occurs against the bias of the spring 889s is apparent. This permits fuel to flow from thechamber l4 to the outlet chamber l8 and thus ,to the burner connected therewith. With both burners operating, the oven a chamber quickly reaches the set temperature of the dial 28 and the thermostatic control comes into operation. The expansible element 48 thereupon moves the valve 32, through the interposition of the connections described and by compressing the spring 93, to closed position relative to the opening 94 and fuel supply to the outletchamber I8 is shut ofl. As the spring 54' is stronger than the spring 93 it is not compressed at this time. This axial movement of the valve 32, and consequently of the valve stem 88, causes the disc 88 to overcome the pull of the tension spring 98 and to pivot lever 94 counterclockwise to release the latch. Immediately, the spring 88 which biases valve 82 to its seat comes into operation to pivot the lever 88 counter-clockwise and cause the valve 82 to close with snap action. Fuel supply to the outlet chamber I8 is thereupon shut-off and neither b'urner can operate.

When the oven temperature for which the dial 28 has been set becomes lowered, the valve 32 is opened by operation of the spring 93 to permit sufiicient fuel to flow through the opening 84 into the outlet chamber IE to maintain the desired temperature. Thus, while the valve 32 operates automatically in either opening or closing direction, the valve 82 operates automatically only in the closing direction.

In the event that overshoot occurs during use of the control, the spring 54 will be compressed by the movement of the housing 5| and no damage to the seated valve member 32 will occur.

, In the modified form shown in Fig. the

The dial 2: is shown in m. 4- as carried on atubular projection 102 which slides in the bearing formed by the inner wall of a bonnet IM- for the shut-oil cock' 2 which is carried by the closeure plate 20. As fully described and claimed in Weber Patent No. 2,303,011 the dial and tubular projection may be moved axially toward the plate 20 and also be rotated. In order that the rotative movement of the dial may be imparted to the cock, the stem portion .IIll thereof carries at its terminal end a slotted collar I08with which a suitably tongued sleeve I10 cooperates. The sleevel I0 is interposed between the collar I08 and the tubular projection I02 andhas a flange II! on its inner end engaging the wall of an annular recess III in the bonnet IM and being straddled by a slotted portion H0 formed in the adjacent end of the sleeve. A coil spring Ht extends between a shoulder I20, formed on the stem portion Hi6, and a plurality of introverted projections I22 formed on the sleeve II'l for this purpose. v

The plate 20 has a channel-shaped support III secured thereto and in which a pin I26 is slidably mounted. The pin I28 engages at one end with the dial 26 and is axially movable when similar movement is imparted to the dial as described. The support I24 has a lug I28 upon which a bellcrank lever I30 is pivoted. One leg of the lever 11% extends into engagement with a plunger I32 projecting from the plate 20. As the-plunger I32 and associated part are identical for' all operating purposes with those described inconnection with Fig. 1, further description at-this point is unnecessary.

In the operation of the modified form shown in Fig. 4, the axial movement of the dial 2 by manual pressure applied thereto against the bias of the spring II8, will cause the pin I28 tolactuate the lever I30 and impart axial movement to the plunger I32. As in the previous embodiment, the angular plate 18 is thereupon moved and will perform its described function. The roclosed position.

erator for said valve, an auxiliary valve movable between open and closed positions relative to the other said outlet and being biased toward closed position, manually operable means for opening said auxiliary valve, latching means operatively associated with said manually operable mean for maintaining said auxiliary valve open, and means carried by said thermostatic valve for releasing said latching means and causing said auxiliary valve to close under said bias upon movement of said thermostatic valve toward 2. A temperature control apparatus for dual burners comprising a casing having a fuel chamber with separate outlets'for the burners, a valve movable between open and closed positions relative to one of said outlets, a thermostatic oporator for said valve. an auxiliary valve movable between open and closed positions relative to the other said outlet and being biased toward closed position, manually operable means for opening said auxiliary valve including a pivoted tary movement of the shut-oflcock 24 may be performed, as in the aforesaid patented structure, by rotating the dial while it is held in and the flange H2 moved away from the recess Ill. As all the remaining features of the operation and construction of the altemative form may be identical with those described in connection with Fig. 1, further reference may be had to the-previous disclosure herein if desired.

It will be apparent that a combination of gradual acting and snap-acting valves has been provided in this embodiment of theinvention to control the flow of fuel to fuel burner. The snap-acting valve may be adapted to close at any time, either ahead of or afterthegradual acting valve, but in this embodiment the former expedient is preferred. Also, while the thermostatic valve has been described and shown in connection with a shut-off cook, it will be apparent that other means of admitting fuel to the inlet chamber could be provided. In the preferred form, the manual operation. of the snap-acting lever, latching means for maintaining said auxiliary valve open including" a second pivoted lever engageable with said other lever and adapted to overcome the bias of said auxiliary valve, and means carried by said thermostatic valve for disengaging said levers to release. said latching means and cause said auxiliary valve to close under said bias upon movement of said thermostatic valve toward closed position.

3. A temperature control apparatus for dual closed positions relative to one of said outlets, a

thermostatic operator for said valve, an auxiliary vave movable between open and closed positions relative to the other said outlet, means for biasing said auxiliary valve toward closed position, manually operable means for opening said auxiliaryvalve including a pivoted lever, latching means for maintaining said auxiliary valve open including a second pivoted lever engageable with the other said lever andadapted to overcome said biasing means, and means engageable with said second lever for tripping said latching means upon movement of said thermostatic valve toward closed position and causing said auxiliary valve to close with snap action.

4. A control apparatus comprising a casing having an in'et chamber and a. pair of outlet chambers, a partition. separating said chambers and provided with separate openings from said inlet chamber to each of said outlet chambers, a valve positioned in one of said outlet chambers and movable to. control the opening thereof, means for operating said valve with gradual ac- 'tion, a second valve positioned in said inlet chamber and movableto control the other one of said openings, means for biasing said second valve in one direction relative to theopening controlled thereby. manually operable means for moving said second ,valve against its bias, meansfor acsaeaa latching said second valve in moved position, and means carried by the first said valve for tripping said latching means upon movement of said first valve and causing said second valve to move with snap action. 7

5. A temperature control apparatus comprising a casing having an inlet chamber and a pair of outlet chambers, a partition separating said chambers and provided with separate openings from said inlet chamber to each of said outlet chambers, a valve movable between open and closed positions relative to one of said openings, a thermostatic operatorfor said valve, an auxiliary valve likewise movable relative to the other said opening, a single adjusting means carried by said casing and adapted for both rotary and axial movement relative thereto, means for opening said thermostatic valve upon one said movement of said adjusting means, and means for opening said auxiliary valve upon the other said movement of said adjusting means.

6. A temperature control apparatus comprising a casing having an'inlet chamber and a pair of outlet chambers, a partition separating said chambers and provided with separate openings from said inlet chamber to each of said outlet.

chambers, a valve movable between open and closed positions relative to one of said openings, a thermostatic operator for said valve, an aux iliary valve likewise movable relative to the other said opening, a single adjusting means carried by said casing and adapted for both rotary and axial movement relative thereto, connecting means between said adjusting means and said thermostatic valve for opening said thermostatic valve upon rotary movement of said adjusting means, and connecting means between said adjusting means and said auxiliary valve for opening said auxiliary valve upon axial movement of said adlusting means.

7. A control apparatus comprising a casing having a fuel chamber provided with a pair of vave seats, a valve cooperable with one of said seats for controlling flow of fuel from said chamber, means for operating said valve in one direction relative to said one seat, a second valve cooperable with the other said seat for controllin flow of fuel from said chamber, means for biasing said second valve in one direction relative to said other seat, manualy operable means for operating said valves in the opposite direction relative to said seats, means responsive to-said operation of said manually operable means and being thereby rendered cooperable with said second valve forholding said second valve in its operated position, and means responsive to operation of said first valve in said one direction for rendering the last said means inoperative and releasing said second vave for operation under its bias in said one direction.

8. A control apparatus comprising a casing having a, fuel chamber provided with a pair of valve seats, a valve cooperable with one of said seats for controlling flow of fuel from said chamber, means for operating said valve in one direction relative to said one seat, a second valve cooperable with the other said seat for contro ling new of fuel from said chamber, means for biaswith said second lever upon operation of said first valve in said one direction and releasing said second valve for operation under its bias in said one direction.

9. A temperature control apparatus comprising a casing having a chamber provided with a pair of spaced valve seats, connections on said casing for conveying fuel to and from said chamber, a valve cooperable with one of said seats for controlling flow of fuel from said chamber, an expansible element in said chamber for operating said valve toward said one seat, means positioned externa ly of said casing and responsive to temperature changes for causing operation of said element, manually operable means for positioning said valve away from its seat for operation by saidelement, an auxiliary vave cooperable with the other said seat for controlling flowof fuel from said chamber, means for biasing said auxiliary valve toward its seat, manually operable means for operating said auxiliary valve against said bias to a position away from its seat, said means including a lever engageable with said auxiliary. valve and being movable to an operative position upon said operation of said manually operable means, a second lever having latching means thereon and being movable into atching position for engagement with the other said lever in said operative position thereof for holding said auxiliary valve away from its seat, means for biasing said seconti lever into said latching position, and means projecting from said first valve for operative engagement with said second lever when said first valve is operated toward its seat, said last means being thereby adapted for overcoming said bias for said second lever and tripping said latching means to cause snap-action operation of said auxiliary valve toward its seat.

. VICTOR. WEBER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Switzerland 1910 

